Keeping you motivated

This newsletter is my weekly roundup of news, stories and opinions about our collective effort towards a cleaner and better world ??

Hi everyone,

Thanks for signing up to my newsletter. In this weekly newsletter I will intentionally focus on things that are working to keep you motivated and energised to keep you going on your journey of impact even when it's tough. Pessimists and cynics never changed the world but visionaries that could foresee a better reality did so let’s focus on the good stuff and create more of that.

Head high, looking forward and onwards!

Helena

Impact Startup of the Week ??

This startup is disrupting the education system.

?? The problem: education is too theoretical, long, and doesn't teach real-world skills like being a climate activist, building an impact business, or becoming an intrapreneur to transform a corporate.

? The solution: The Spaceship is a hands-on masterclass for entrepreneurs and changemakers focused on solving social and environmental challenges. They have co-created modules focused on industry-specific cohorts (e.g. sustainable food and packaging) and centred on upskilling non-profit Board Members and training non-profit volunteers.

?? The challenges: They are competing with universities with hundreds of years of history and reputation: disrupting these is no small plan.

??The traction: They launched in Q2 of 2022 and are currently training 500 impact entrepreneurs.

?? Fun fact: The CEO is the ex-Dean of American University of Paris!?

In graduate education, we are seeing a trend of moving away from theoretical academic education systems of traditional universities to more short classes that have real world application. Think Khan Academy, Acumen Academy or Masterclass. Personally I have taken courses both from Acumen and Masterclass and really enjoyed them. The Spaceship is looking to be the “Masterclass” for sustainability classes.?

Read more about The Spaceship here ???? https://www.thespaceship.org

My Opinion on Current Events ??

Adam Neumann; Photographer: Jackal Pan/Visual China Group/Getty Images

??I have mixed feelings about Adam Neumann's getting $350M for his new real estate venture from venture capitalists Andreeseen Horowitz after having lost billions of dollars for Wework investors and being ousted of WeWork for his reckless leadership.?

1. As a founder and CEO his behaviour lacked a lot of integrity, is that going to change this time around? How would you score him on governance?! Low.?

2. Having lost billions from investors it's hard to believe investors jumping right in again.?

3. Mr. Neumann is seriously good at bouncing back and clearly doesn't care about what people think. I do appreciate that but what is the point of hustle if it’s just to get power and money? Is that really fulfilling??

4. It’s interesting to notice how Adam is able to raise so much money after the mess of WeWork but women and diverse founders are still raising only 2% of VC funding. This is going to change BIG time.

Learn more here: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-08-15/andreessen-horowitz-backs-wework-s-adam-neumann-new-startup-flow#xj4y7vzkg

If you need some inspiration as an impact entrepreneur or professionals - I highly recommend watching a video about 15 conscious leadership principles. If you have seen them already, I find that reading about them again may help if you are stuck on trying to make a decision at work:

1. Take radical responsibility. ??
2. Learn through curiosity. ??
3. Feel all feelings. ??
4. Speak candidly. ??
5. Eliminate gossip. ??
6. Practice integrity. ??
7. Generate appreciation. ??
8. Excel in your zone of genius. ??
9. Live the life of play and rest. ?
10. Explore the opposite. ??
11. Source approval control and security. ??
12. Have enough of everything. ??
13. Experience the world as an ally. ??
14. Create a win for all solutions. ??
15. Bring the resolutions. ?

Watch this video to learn more: The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership Final 25NOV2015

Top 3 climate positive news this week:

• The psychology of inspiring everyday climate action (Wired)
• Young activists have pushed Florida to set clean energy goals (NPR)
• New Zealand releases its first national plan to protect against climate-driven disasters (The Guardian)

One quote that never grows old:

“Sometimes you got to go out there. Sometimes you got to go in there”. (Matthew McConaughey in his book “Greenlight” refers to introspection.)

Follow me on Instagram @iamhelenawass